67. Chapter 67
CHAPTER 67
Dynalya
T he city of Evos had been erected among the forest. Beautiful buildings of dark wood and stone were nestled within elevated trees, blending in with the greenery. Flowering bushes lined the cobblestone paths illuminated with lanterns. The elves had made a home here without disrupting the beauty of nature.
Magic seemed to glitter in the air, and it seemed to soothe the ache in Dyna’s veins. While they were waiting for the others to arrive, the escort brought them to rest and eat at Misty Hollow , a tavern built within a semi-enclosed cavity of a massive tree. A singular round window above allowed in a natural stream of light. Vines and roots adorned the tree’s walls, lanterns offering an orange glow. Every table on the stone floor was taken, elves murmuring softly to each other in elvish or in Urnian.
Dyna smiled at Zev sitting across from her. He happily feasted on a rack of lamb. Keena sat on an overturned teacup, her feet kicking idly, as she chatted with Von and Tavin about fairy food.
Feeling a tingle in the bond, Dyna fleetingly met Cassiel’s gaze. He sat where sat at the table beside them with his Valkyrie, their wings hidden from sight. She looked away and cut into her blistered tomatoes roasted with herbs and cheese, sitting atop a mound of wild rice.
Things had been awkward since the morning.
Well, for her.
Halder, head of the Norrlen Guard, brought them a mug of wild berry wine. It went to join the other gifts of food and drink the escort and guards had already filled their table with. Halder gave her and Zev nod of approval then rejoined Lady Aerina, Raiden, and Eldred at the table across them.
“Aw, they are fond of you now,” Keena said teasingly. Zev shrugged and chucked down the ale. “Ironic that all it took was saving most of their lives from the flood.”
They had been most kind. Many of the Rangers and Norrlen guards had also thanked her for treating their wounds. The Melodyam waters had worked.
Dyna made a note to study the falls further.
“I hear the both of you are heroes,” Lucenna suddenly said from behind her. “The escort wouldn’t cease to speak of it all the way here.”
“Lucenna, you made it,” Dyna got up to hug her. “Where is Klyde?”
“He’s outside tending to his horse. Camsen had found him.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful.”
Tavin put down his fork and grabbed his bag, making his way for the door.
“Oi, boy, where are you going?” Von called after him.
“I’m off to find a scribe’s shop.” He waved over his shoulder. “I need parchment and ink to write to my mother. Don’t worry about me. I can find my way back.”
Von and Zev shared a frown, and both rose to follow.
“I better go with the lad in case he finds himself in any more trouble. Could you pass on word to Klyde that he’s with me?” Von asked her.
Dyna nodded. She was glad to see Zev and Von were getting along now.
“Oh, I’m famished,” Lucenna sank into Zev’s chair and her eyes lit up at the many plates piled with an assortment of food. “And this looks delicious.”
“Help yourself,” Keena said, cutting into a strawberry half her size. “The almond cakes are delectable .”
Klyde soon joined them, and they ate their fill as they shared their experiences during the flood.
“Are we staying here for the night?” Lucenna asked as Dyna inspected Klyde’s leg with a mist of Essence.
“Yes, I believe so. When we arrived this morning, Camsen said the horses needed rest and he needed to procure a new carriage for Lady Aerina. It’s unfavorable for her to be seen on the open road.” Nodding in approval, Dyna covered the fresh scab with a salve and wrapped a new bandage over it. “You did well, Lucenna. I don’t detect any internal bleeding.” She handed Klyde the salve container. “Rub this in twice a day for the next three days to clear up any infection and ease any pain. It’s made from Echinacea extract and milk thistle. If you develop a fever come see me.”
“Right, thanks lass.” Klyde tucked it into his coat pocket. “Has Tavin arrived yet it?”
“Yes, not a short while ago with the others,” Keena said. “He went to the market with Von and Zev.”
Klyde’s mouth thinned. “Where is the market?”
“I’ll escort you, sir,” a Norrlen guard volunteered.
He quickly made for the door with the elf and Keena followed.
“I’ll go with them too, in case he decides to murder Von,” Lucenna said, but her expression shifted to worry as she looked her over. “All right? You look a little pale.”
She sighed. “I need to replace my herbs to make Azeran’s tea but the prices here are…”
“Past our means?” Lucenna muttered as she stood. “I noticed. I’m out of herbs, too. There may be more reasonable shops further in the market. I will ask around.”
Sighing, Dyna rubbed the tension gathering in her forehead. She wasn’t sure what annoyed her more. Her lack of funds or her growing headache from lack of Essence.
Lucenna glanced past her shoulder with a sly smirk and added under her breath, “Though, I doubt you would have trouble finding a wealthy admirer or two who would gladly acquire whatever your heart desires.”
Dyna glowered at her. Snickering, the sorceress winked and hurried on to catch up to Klyde.
There was no need to look. Dyna more than sensed Raiden and Cassiel’s gazes on her. A pretend suitor and a former husband who glared daggers at each other. It was beginning to become rather tiresome.
Glancing up, Dyna met Aerina’s amused smile. She must have heard that. A blush washed through Dyna’s face, and she inwardly groaned.
“Your lodging is secure upstairs, princess,” Camsen said as he approached with his men. “The king has sent word that and a carriage with fresh escort with arrive on the morrow. Shall we escort you to your room?”
Aerina’s brow furrowed every slightly. The only sign she was displeased. She was anxious to reach Avandia and so was Dyna.
“I think I would like to go for a stroll through the market.” Aerina rose from her seat with graceful ease. The streams of her pale green dress fluttered around her. “Lady Dyna, would you please join me? I am to visit the apothecary, and I could use your expertise.”
Dyna stood. “Oh, of course, Your Grace.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” Raiden quickly came to his mother’s side.
“Are you feeling ill?” Eldred asked next.
Camsen looked alarmed. “I will send for the royal Herb Master at once.”
“It’s nothing at all to fuss about,” Lady Aerina said as she took Dyna’s arm. “If you must know, I am in my season.”
The men all turned a pink and suddenly looked uncomfortable. They all seemed to understand what that meant but it left Dyna confused.
“Would you please allow me some privacy. It’s a lady’s business after all.”
Raiden cleared his throat. “Oh, right, of course.”
The market was at the center of the city SHORT DESCRIPTION. Elves watched curiously and they passed by with a trail of Rangers and Valkyrie following. At a distance.
“Season, Your Grace?” Dyna asked.
Aerina masked a giggle behind her hand. “To be in one’s season refers to a female’s fertile year, much like the mating season in spring. It comes every ten years and requires a special tonic to ease ones … urges. A delicate subject the males are not prone to discuss.”
Dyna bit back a smile and flushed. “Oh, I see.”
“Apologies. This way we can speak at leisure without the others listening. How are you, Lady Dyna?”
“Me?”
“You seem troubled and weary. I couldn’t help but notice the shadows under your eyes. Though do you appear more rested today.”
Dyna ducked her head. “I have been having trouble sleeping, Your Grace. Nightmares, as it were. But I did manage to find some rest.”
She tried not to think about Cassiel but last night hovered on the back of her mind like as swarm of bees. She had woken to his scent embedded in the sheets and her clothes, but he was gone with the dawn.
That’s what he had promised.
To only stay for as long as she needed. Dyna knew he did so out of respect for her space but for some reason, disappointment had tangled in her chest.
But it’s what’s best.
Keeping him near wouldn’t do any good, yet why was she so bothered by it?
“I, too, have been plagued by dreams,” Aerina said, her burrow furrowing with worry as she looked ahead. “They wake me up in the middle of the night with terrors of my worst fears. Most dreams are only due to our minds sorting through our memories and emotions and unconscious desires, fears, and wishes. Other dreams are forewarnings of the future. It is difficult at times, to discern which type of dream they may be. That burdens me the most.”
Dyna noticed then, Aerina also had shadows under her eyes. What nightmares must plague her? She didn’t ask. It wasn’t her place. But she knew they would all be about Rawn.
At first, her dreams seemed to reimagine her lack of control, but they now felt to be more than a forewarning.
Her mind was trying to tell her something.
“We will arrive in Avandia tomorrow.” Dyna gently squeezed her hand. “I am sure King Leif has not sat idle these past few days. The negotiations for Rawn’s release are likely underway or perhaps complete. He may have already sent for him by the time we arrive. Have faith. You will see him again.”
“Thank you, dear.” Lady Aerina squeezed her hand back. “I do have faith. For I believe those meant to be together will always find their way back to each other.”
She gave her a knowing smile as they reached an apothecary and opened the door. Before following her inside, Dyna glanced behind her at the market crowd and met Cassiel’s gaze.
The apothecary was much the same as the rest of the city, but familiar with a wall of many herbs. Dyna smiled as she breathed it all in.
“Good evening,” Aerina greeted the Herb Master, and the male elf deeply bowed. “My friend here is in need of herbs, if you could fill her order please.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
Aerina waved her over.
Dyna gasped. “I-I couldn’t possibly.”
“After what you have done for my family, it’s the least I could do.”
Her throat clamped shut and she almost broke down there with horrid guilt. “Your Grace, I cannot accept?—”
The door chimed with a tinkling of bells and Cassiel entered in behind her.
“Ah, you have arrived on time, sir,” the Herb Master told him. “Your order is ready.” He brought out a package wrapped in paper and twine. “Ten gold, please.”
“Thank you.” Cassiel placed a sack of cold coins on the counter. “I’ll cover Her Grace’s tab as well.”
Before Aerina could answer, Raiden stormed in. “I will see to my mother, Soaraway.
“As you wish.” He turned toward Dyna. “I have what you need.”
Gaping, she pulled Cassiel back outside and moved him into a private nook between two trees. “What are you doing?”
He frowned. “I purchased the herbs for the tea. I believe they’re the right ones. You’re welcome to inspect?—”
“I didn’t ask you to buy them for me.”
His silver eyes grew upset. “Dyna, please don’t argue with me on this of all things. You needed the herbs, so I placed the order as soon as we arrived. Take them.”
“No, thank you.”
Cassiel’s chest expanded with a heavy breath. “Can we pretend for a moment you don’t hate me?”
Dyna turned away. She needed to hate him because if she didn’t, her heart would attach to the other emotion she tried to ignore whenever he was near. “I recovered some Essence last night. I’m fine.”
“Do you refuse me because I paid for them?”
No, it was because if she accepted this gift, she would struggle to continue keeping a wall between them. Dyna was saved from answering by the chime of bells as Raiden and Aerina left the Apothecary.
She joined them on the street. “If you are to continue in the market, may I come with you?”
Raiden offered her his arm. “I would like that.”
Gentle music filled the market as Evos held a festival to celebrate spring. They paused to watch as elves stood atop of roofs or on balconies and light up pieces of colorful paper fire. They released them, filling the sky with a rainbow of glowing cinders as the paper dissolved away.
“The Hail of Embers,” Raiden explained. “It’s a ceremony we hold in the spring. We write down all troubles, ill memories, and hardships from the previous year and burning them. It symbolizes leaving the past behind and starting anew.”
Maybe she should write Cassiel’s name on one.
I am fireproof, ahuvati. His husky, amused voice passed through the bond and Dyna flushed.
Her shield had dropped for a second at the most embarrassing moment.
She fortified it again and ignored him. But the pitch of his voice had reminded her of how he spoke to her last night, when he offered another way to replenish her Essence.
Heat churned in her lower belly and her Essence Channels ached as if encouraging her to accept. Dyna hardly had the energy to pretend she was fine.
Cassiel must have sensed it though, because his eyes followed her though. Dyna plastered a smile on her face as she strode with Raiden, making sure to speak energetically, attentive to whatever he said.
Raiden’s brows quirked up. “I am glad to see you in better spirits, Lady Dyna. I was worried about you last night when you collapsed.”
“I had been neglecting my rest. I feel much better now.”
Raiden swept away a tangled lock from her eyes. “Good.”
The unexpected touch caught her off guard. She looked away with a nervous smile, until a striking green gown in the window of a shop caught Dyna’s eye. Made with sheer sleeves that hung off the shoulder and delicate gold embroidery on the trim, jewels sown into the waist.
“Do you like it?” Raiden asked her.
“It’s beautiful. I don’t think I have ever seen anything quite like it anywhere else,” she said in awe.
“Perhaps since our dressmakers and tailors design their clothing from fabric woven of Goldseed. It is a root that grows only in Greenwood and takes form similar to silk. Gowns can be enchanted to never fade, to enhance the beauty of the wearer, or even improve your skill as a dancer.”
Dyna laughed. “Surely you jest.”
“I do not.” Raiden nodded for her to follow him to a stall selling baubles of rings and jewelry. “You will find all sorts of magic in Greenwood.” He picked a simple wooden ring in the shape of a leaf and placed it on her finger.
Dyna felt a woosh of magic tickle her skin from head to toe. The merchant held up a mirror and she gasped to find her irises were now brown. “My eyes…”
“Our metals can be enchanted to change the color of your features to even your voice.”
It must be why the elves had taken to tattooing themselves with their Kingdom’s sigils. With these, it was easy to disguise who you were.
“Try this one.” Raiden picked up another ring. He held her gaze as he and slipped it on her ring finger. The tingle of magic crawled over her scalp and Dyna gaped at her blonde curls.
“This is?—”
Cassiel appeared in the mirror’s reflection, standing behind her. “What have you done to her?”
“Nothing but a mere illusion,” Raiden said flatly.
Cassiel looked her over, lifting a section of her hair to inspect the roots. “If this is permanent?—”
“It’s only enchanted jewelry, Soaraway. Calm yourself.”
“I’ve had quite enough of your antics, Norrlen.”
Dyna sighed. There they were, bickering again.
“Take it off.” Cassiel reached for the ring.
Raiden moved to block him. The action caught her between them, her back pressed her against Cassiel’s chest.
“Mind yourself instead.” Raiden tried to tug the curl of hair Cassiel was holding.
Cassiel jerked his wrist away from him, invertedly pulling on her hair and Raiden pulled it back in the other direction.
“Ow,” Dyna hissed. “Stop it. Both of you.”
But they weren’t paying attention.
Cassiel clenched his jaw. “Remove your hand before I break it.”
“I will do as I please, Soaraway.”
The Rangers and Eldred rushed their way. Listening to them squabble like idiots and having the whole market stare at them both humiliated and angered her.
Snatching out her blade, Dyna slashed through lock of her hair. Cassiel and Raiden were left speechless as they watched the red strands float down to their feet.
Dyna stormed away.
She should have stayed at the inn and locked herself in her room.
Swift movement caught her eye and Dyna looked up at Aerina standing alone at the end of the street. A male elf came up from behind and covered her mouth before she could scream.
Dyna sprinted to them. “Put her down!”
Two hands rammed into her back and the cobblestone came rushing to her. Her head cracked against something hard, and pain stole her vision. Dyna screamed, clawing at her skull. Warm blood seeped through her fingers.
She broke it. She broke it.
Someone grabbed her and she screeched.
“Dyna!” Cassiel grabbed her face. “Look at me. Look at me.”
She stared at him, her chest heaving with harsh breaths. Blood leaked down her temple and she reached for it with shaking hands.
“Breathe,” he said. “You’re all right. You only bumped your head.”
Dyna forced herself to suck in a breath.
“There you go, another.”
She took several more mouthfuls of air until her heart stopped racing. The ringing in her ears dissipated and slowly her surroundings came into focus.
A crowd had gathered.
Raiden held his weeping mother, shouting something at Halder and his guards. Camsen pinned the elf that had grabbed Aerina was pinned under his knee. Beside Dyna, Sowmya and Yelrakel had another elf at sword point. It must have been the one who pushed her. Though they may have not been needed as he was unconscious. Blood leaked from his broken nose.
“I thank you for showing some restraint,” Eldred said, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
It took her a moment to realize he wasn’t speaking to the Valkyrie.
“The fact that he yet breathes is showing restraint,” Cassiel said coolly. She winced as he pressed a torn piece of his tunic against her cut.
Raiden left his mother with Halder and came to stand before the elf who tried to abduct his mother. His eyes burned with his anger, but he seemed to draw it back. “Take them to the king for questioning.”
“But who sent them?” Eldred asked.
“They wear no livery nor carry any proof of orders, my lord,” Camsen said after riffling their pockets.
Raiden gritted his teeth and said to the Magi Master, “We both know who is responsible. Put them in irons, Camsen.”
“Yes, my lord.”
He then turned to her and his expression softened. “My lady, I’m sorry you were hurt. Can you walk?”
“I am all right,” Dyna said, forcing a smile. “See to your mother.”
“Raiden,” Aerina called shakily. He quickly went to her and the Rangers escorted them away.
“Come, we need clean this up.” Cassiel told her. He helped her stand and Dyna moaned at the pain throbbing on the side of her head. “I will take you to the inn.”
“I can make it on my own.” Dyna pushed off his hand but stumbled and Cassiel lifted her in his arms.
“So stubborn,” he sighed.
Dyna couldn’t even argue from how much her head hurt. They quickly returned to Misty Hallow and he carried her up three flights of stairs to the room that must be assigned to her. It was a small room carved into the tree. A single window provided a view of Evos below.
There wasn’t much in the limited space, but a hammock, a table with stools, and a short chest of drawers with a basin and a mirror. A map of vines adorned the walls. Cassiel set her on a stool, and she heard water pouring into a basin. She flinched as he carefully cleaned the dry blood from her temple.
“Gods, what hit me?”
“When you fell, your head hit the corner of a merchant’s table.” He searched her eyes worriedly. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“What happened, Dyna? You panicked.”
“I told you I’m fine ,” she snapped. “You can go now.”
She was safe. Lady Aerina was safe. She had been through worse.
Cassiel laid his warm palm over her cold fists. “If you’re fine, why are you still trembling?”
It took all her will to fightback the tears threatening to surface.
Dyna couldn’t tell him that when those hands pushed her, she had fallen back into the chasm of her nightmare. The blow against the table had shocked her mind into thinking she had cracked her skull.
It left her helpless on the ground.
If he and the others hadn’t been near, Lady Aerina would have been taken.
Shutting her eyes, Dyna stamped down a fresh wave of panic. She felt so stupid and pathetic to have been left vulnerable by such a simple thing. Pressure built in her chest, and she pushed a fist against it. Her breathing quickened and the world tilted.
“Motek.” Cassiel took her hands. The contact sent a tingling energy over her skin and the skewing in her head faded at the soft foreign word his voice.
“Please don’t ask me about it,” she whispered. “I can’t speak of it.”
“When you do, I hope you will share it with me.” Petals of Seraph fire unfurled from Cassiel’s palms, casting steady heat over hers. She had not known her body was stiff until it sagged as soothing heat spread through her and her trembling ceased. “May I heal you?” he asked next.
She shook her head.
Exchanging blood was intimate. The foundation of a mate bond. That held too much meaning to allow it anymore, because it would only confuse him … and herself.
Cassiel’s brow furrowed. She read the silent worry in his eyes. They were the gray of a coming dawn, and however angry or sad she was with him, she still found herself yearning for those skies whenever she looked at him.
Dyna dug her nails unto her palms until pain washed the thought away.
“You are to meet the King of Greenwood tomorrow. It wouldn’t do to arrive with your face bruised. What would the court say?”
It was merely an excuse to heal her, yet as Dyna looked at him, kneeling in front of her, she couldn’t help but give in.
She nodded.
Taking out his opal knife, Cassiel cut his fingertip and gently traced the cut. His thumb brushed against her jaw, sending shivers down her neck. Every contact of their skin sent a flush of warmth through her body she tried to ignore.
“Why do you continue to care for me?”
His expression tightened as if the question pained him, and he wiped away the rest of the blood from her face. “ Atah at yakar yekarah li.”
Dyna told herself she didn’t understand but it was a lie. Regardless of how cold and cruel she was, no matter how much she hurt him and pushed him away, she was still precious to him. “But I am terrible to you...”
Yet I cannot deny what remains true.
The tattered strands of the bond danced in her chest at the sound of his soft voice passing through her mind. It wanted to reform itself and Dyna couldn’t deny a hidden part of herself wanted it too. Her heartbeat fluttered in her throat as they gazed at one another.
He was close enough to feel the heat of his body and she still remembered what it felt like to have it on her. To feel the touch of his breath on her bare skin. Her throat dried.
Cassiel’s eyes gleamed—different, darker. And she realized her shield had slipped again, exposing the desire that she had tried to hide since last night. Then his eyes dropped to her mouth. Cassiel’s warm breath brushed over her skin, and her heart beat faster, air locking in her lungs. Taking her elbow, he leaned closer, enveloping her in his heat. He watched for her reaction, weighing … deciding. She didn’t move away because all of her burned with need.
And he knew it.
The inch of space between them closed and his lips brushed hers. Lightly, tentatively. The sweet kiss made her insides glow. But it was too much like their first kiss. The memory of that innocent moment made her eyes well.
Because they were not those people anymore.
“Cassiel…” Dyna whispered. “We can’t.”
His lips grazed the shell of her ear and her body treacherously trembled. “You deny me, but I know what you desire, lev sheli . I can feel it.”
Then his lips moved along her jaw and each caress echoed in her bones.
“Your Essence is spent. Let me help you restore it,” Cassiel murmured, every word vibrating.
He pressed another light kiss just beneath her earlobe and it sent her skin ablaze with need. But she stiffened, chest rising and falling with shaky breaths to resist him and the ache of her dwindled Essence.
Cassiel lifted his gaze to hers. “Dyna … you’re suffering needlessly. I can feel your physical need and your magical one.” His brow furrowed with frustration and his eyes became pleading. “I feel how much it hurts, and I hate knowing I can take it away. Let me help you. Not because I am a foul male who wants you, but because you need it.”
“I don’t need you,” she snapped, feeling her face redden. “If I want to be bedded to restore my Essence, I can find anyone else equally capable.”
He stared at her, taken back by her blurted response. She didn’t know why she said something so callous, but he didn’t look angry.
Cassiel trailed his fingers along her collarbone, eliciting a current of heat across her flushed skin. His thumb traced slow circles over the pulse fluttering at the base of her throat. “As much as you detest me, no one else can illicit what you feel with me.” His nose skated her cheek. Only I know exactly how you liked to be touched, Dynalya.
That sent a shock of heat through her body.
“Tomorrow you can return to ignoring me and I can return to pretending that it doesn’t kill me. But right now, please let me take care of you.”
Dyna trembled, every part of her wanting to give in. It took every ounce of her will to rise above her need. “Please go.”
Cassiel pulled back with a faint sigh. His hand slipped away from hers, taking all his warmth. She already missed it. He didn’t try to touch her again, and she was relieved, because her head was pounding, her body aching, and she needed air.
He turned to go, nodding to the package of herbs left on the table. “Please drink your tea. Call if you need me.”
“I won’t.” Taking Cassiel’s arm, Dyna pulled him to the door and put him out into the hall. “That will never happen again.”
Then she shut the door before he could say anything else.